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Time to Get off the Interstate

Edgy MD Apr 22 2014 08:15 AM

It's April 22. Taxes have been paid, Easter has been celebrated, the Boston Marathon is underway and the firstbaseman has been traded. It is no longer just one of them things if your batting average starts with a one. It is indeed an embarrassment. Gentlemen, get off the interstate. Travis D'Arnaud, you are hitting the ball hard and trending in the right direction, but if you died tomorrow, would you really want to meet your maker with a .192 average? I tend to think you would not. Andrew Brown, you have turned the footnote of Colin Cowgill into a tradition --- the tradition of the fringey outfielder who gets a start on opening day, rewards his manager with a big homer, and then has disappeared before the calendar hits May. This is what a .185 average can do. Josh Satin, the team showed faith in you. FAITH! Non tendering Justin Turner? That's FAITH! Giving you first base against lefties? FAITH INDEED! Dealing off the big guy so you're the only guy standing between a Lucas Duda injury and oblivion? THAT'S A GEORGE MICHAEL DEGREE OF FAITH! But when you reward that with a .143 average? Faith will fail. Curtis Granderson, a .121 disaster of a season thus far has turned your rep from "character guy" to Jason Bay and Tom Glavine rolled into one. Both a failed free agent outlay and an embedded enemy. A .121 average is a palindrome of failure. Gentlemen, I don't need you to have career seasons. I need you to get off the interstate, and get off NOW!!!! It's just so unseemly to see those numbers beneath your face as you approach the plate. .192 .185 .143 .121 That is all.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 22 2014 08:23 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

I can't remember seeing Satin or Grandy get a hit this year. I think maybe I saw Grandy hit a home run but can't be sure.

Vic Sage Apr 22 2014 08:31 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

the fact that Tejada has just gotten his BA up to .205 shouldn't go unmentioned, particularly since his OPS is still lower than all of those guys but Granderson. "palindrome of failure". hah! BOC

Ceetar Apr 22 2014 08:52 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Only Wright and Duda are above average hitters so far of anyone (active. Lagares too) with more than 30 trips to the plate. But still lacking a meaningful sample size. I mean, a 4/4 night puts d'Arnaud at .250, Tejada at .259, Satin at .333 and Granderson at .171. Granderson's starting to sink himself into a deeper hole by having sucked worse than any of the others so far. d'Arnaud perhaps suffering some rookie jitters starting the season? since, and including, the game he got his first hit he's at .270/.341/.405 with 3 XBH, 4 BB and only 3 Ks.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 22 2014 08:56 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

I'm starting to feel optimistic about d'Arnaud, but an increasing sense of gloom about Granderson. I think he'll snap out of it, but I want him to do so before the George Foster/Jason Bay stuff becomes permanently stuck to him.

TransMonk Apr 22 2014 09:01 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Curtis batting second mystifies me.

Ceetar Apr 22 2014 09:04 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

TransMonk wrote: Curtis batting second mystifies me. well, we have Eric Young batting first so..

Edgy MD Apr 22 2014 09:06 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

If d'Arnaud, Brown, or Satin get a hit in their next at-bat --- assuming Brown gets promoted --- they will leave the interstate. Perhaps it would even be advisable to pull them from the game if this comes to pass, so they can enjoy the sleep of the just for at least a night, knowing their mugshots have been removed from my symbolic post office. Granderson, on the other hand, would need seven straight hits to escape most immediately. His start has been positively Ike-like.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 22 2014 09:14 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Edgy MD wrote: His start has been positively Ike-like. And that's not so good, right?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 22 2014 09:23 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

I am fairly positive he will break out at some point but there's not even been any signs that Grandy knows what he's doing up there.

Edgy MD Apr 22 2014 09:42 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

He's swinging like that guy in the lottery commercial who gets to stay in the lineup because he owns the team.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 22 2014 09:44 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

When I picture him in my head, I see him lunging at a pitch that's low and outside. Am I imagining this, or is he doing that a lot?

Ceetar Apr 22 2014 09:50 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

according to fangraphs Granderson is Swinging at more pitches in the zone than league average. Swinging at the same amount of pitches outside the zone than average. Getting a lot fewer pitches in the zone. Making contact with less pitches in general. swinging and missing a lot more than league average. Taking less time between pitches than the average player.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 22 2014 11:35 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Edgy MD wrote: His start has been positively Ike-like. And that's not so good, right? Hey, no biggie; he probably just needs a change of scenery.

smg58 Apr 22 2014 02:33 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

I think Brown got sent to Vegas when Abreu got called up. Satin just needs some ABs, and I think D'Arnaud has been a bit unlucky and I'm not really worried. Granderson, however, looks lost. He goes through stretches like this, and hopefully this will correct itself on its own, but so far not so good.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 22 2014 02:57 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

I feel like Satin hits into a double play every time he gets up there. Wonder if or when they go with Soupy Campbell.

Edgy MD Apr 22 2014 03:02 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Campbell gives me a read like Justin Turner without the illusion opf job security that softened the latter up. Plays pretty much every position and still has the grind in him. Even came to camp in a beard. [fimg=500:2ihzya87]http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Eric+Campbell+dhIbF6Tr2nUm.jpg[/fimg:2ihzya87] He's one of three 51s (along with Dykstra and deGrom) I imagine could help the big league team TODAY.

Ashie62 Apr 22 2014 08:02 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Granderson .116

Edgy MD Apr 22 2014 08:22 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

d'Arnaud goes 0-3 today. Keith was right yesterday that his timing is solid but he's getting under it. Totally un-expert observation by me says that a starting catcher needs a little bit o' swagger, and d'Arnie is lacking it. Brown was not in the lineup tonight as the Las Vegans pounded out 21 runs on 21 hits against the El Paso Chihuahuas. Wouldn't have helped his big-league numbers anyhow. Josh Satin lofted a high lazy fly to center in his one pinch-hitting appearance. Granderson looked bad against Wainwright's curve, but did get one good rip in with runners on base, but unfortunately didn't get enough lift on it and lined it straight to the firstbaseman. He also walked in the ninth to get the tying run to the plate. None of these achievements represented a hit, and his hole deepens. He's not far from the trainer suddenly discovering a phantom injury. Bobby Abreu put one just short of the warning track in his debut at-bat in the ninth. .182 .185 .133 .116 .000 I can say no more.

Centerfield Apr 23 2014 08:14 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Edgy MD wrote: He's swinging like that guy in the lottery commercial who gets to stay in the lineup because he owns the team. Love it.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 23 2014 09:00 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Granderson's quickest way off the interstate would be a few more hitless at bats.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 23 2014 12:11 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

I did some actual math to check on my previous statement. Curtis Granderson can get off the Interstate by going 8 for 8. Or, he can get off the wrong exit by going 0 for 12. I'm afraid that the second option seems more likely. The Interstate that he's on, I-16, runs from Macon, Georgia to Savannah, Georgia. He's definitely been playing like someone who's trying to get to Savannah.

Edgy MD Apr 23 2014 12:27 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

That's interesting. The same logic has d'Arnaud headed to Yakima, Washington, Brown pulled over and parked on his way to Montgomery, Alabama, and Satin careening toward downtown Columbus.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 23 2014 01:45 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I'm starting to feel optimistic about d'Arnaud, but an increasing sense of gloom about Granderson. I think he'll snap out of it, but I want him to do so before the George Foster/Jason Bay stuff becomes permanently stuck to him. Uh oh. [fimg=344]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5144/13983511362_98ec957b12_o.png[/fimg] http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... cu01.shtml

seawolf17 Apr 23 2014 01:54 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

batmagadanleadoff wrote: I'm starting to feel optimistic about d'Arnaud, but an increasing sense of gloom about Granderson. I think he'll snap out of it, but I want him to do so before the George Foster/Jason Bay stuff becomes permanently stuck to him. Uh oh. [fimg=344]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5144/13983511362_98ec957b12_o.png[/fimg] http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... cu01.shtml NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ceetar Apr 23 2014 02:11 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

what? Jose Bautista is awesome.

Edgy MD Apr 23 2014 02:34 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Yeah, you choose that chart, you're going to, by definition, get players who were cooked by the time they reached the age of the player their being compared to. Much healthier to choose the chart next to it, listing the players who are most similar through their current age. [list=1:36u3ls56][*:36u3ls56]Ron Gant (946)[/*:m:36u3ls56] [*:36u3ls56]Bob Allison (930)[/*:m:36u3ls56] [*:36u3ls56]J.D. Drew (917)[/*:m:36u3ls56] [*:36u3ls56]Roy Sievers (914)[/*:m:36u3ls56] [*:36u3ls56]Jose Cruz (913)[/*:m:36u3ls56] [*:36u3ls56]Jason Bay (912)[/*:m:36u3ls56] [*:36u3ls56]Wally Post (911)[/*:m:36u3ls56] [*:36u3ls56]Jesse Barfield (908)[/*:m:36u3ls56] [*:36u3ls56]Bobby Thomson (908)[/*:m:36u3ls56] [*:36u3ls56]Kirk Gibson (908)[/*:m:36u3ls56][/list:o:36u3ls56] More accurate, if not necessarily more encouraging.

seawolf17 Apr 23 2014 02:42 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

BUT JASON BAY IS STILL THERE

Edgy MD Apr 24 2014 09:22 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

A night in the wind and cold, and our list, sadly, is expanding faster than it is contracting. Travis d'Arnaud, continues to get mostly good swings in there and went 1-3 with a walk. IMPROVING. Josh Satin, like the rest of Mets bench, spent the whole cold night stuck on that bench. UNCHANGED. Curtis Granderson, while the rest of the Mets were toppling like dominoes in the first three innings, actually scratched out a hit his first time up. It was his only knock, but he also had a walk and a solid overall game. IMPROVING. Bobby Abreu sat and joked with Colon all night, it looked like. UNCHANGED. But wait, there's more!! In going 0-3 (with a blessed walk), Kirk Nieuwenhuis has joined a club he surely wants no part of, with his average dropping to .188! Get off that road, Kirk! =#FF0000]DECLINING. Ruben Tejada, who collapborated with Nieuwenhuis on the play of the game, also aped his batting line (1-3, with a [critical go-ahead-RBI] walk), and has dropped to .193. You guys need to collaborate on batting practice, too! =#FF0000]DECLINING. =#0000FF].190 =#0000FF].185 =#0000FF].133 =#0000FF].125 =#0000FF].000 =#0000FF].188 =#0000FF].193 Needs a 1-1, a 1-2, a 2-3, a 2-4, or a 2-5 in his next game to escape the interstate. Three, four, or five hits would work too. Needs to be re-promoted in order to rescue his stat line from shame. . . . . . Needs a 2-2, a 2-3, a 2-4, or 2-5 or better. Basically, two hits deliver him. . . . . We need a 7-7 here, man. . . . . . . . . Basically, one hit liberates Bobby. . . . . . . . A 1-4 or better, and you and I got no problems. . . . . . . . A 1-4 game leaves him just short, but anything better than that works. Ruben's also been walking like an Egyptian, so there's that. I can say no more.

Edgy MD Apr 24 2014 12:08 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Breaking news! Ruben Tejada has exited the interstate!

Frayed Knot Apr 24 2014 12:32 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

As has Abreu

Benjamin Grimm Apr 24 2014 12:32 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

And so has Bobby Abreu!

Edgy MD Apr 24 2014 12:38 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Good show. Unfortunately, with a DGaaNG lineup, the rest of these boners are riding pine. (Do you think MLB benches are made of pine anymore? Probably some synthetic fiber/wood composite, right?)

Ceetar Apr 24 2014 12:40 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Can't really tell in this picture, but I'm pretty sure that's synthetic.

TransMonk Apr 24 2014 01:10 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

From a dugout shot I saw the other night when it was raining, the bench did not look natural with the moisture. It made me think it was synthetic at the time.

Frayed Knot May 13 2014 05:25 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Granderson = .200 (26 of 130) Been a long climb son.

Edgy MD May 13 2014 07:34 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Grandy at .198 right now, d'Arnaud at .200, Tejada at .204.

Benjamin Grimm May 14 2014 06:59 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Granderson .205, Tejada .200, d'Arnaud .196.

Edgy MD May 14 2014 07:43 AM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Congratulations on your escape, Curtis Granderson. You, Tejada, have also, for now, mastered the art of autoliberation. .185 .182 .196 .167 .107 A hit in his next pinch- hitting appearance gets him to .217, and then it's off to the races. . . . . . . . . . A promotion and a hit in his first trip gets him to .214. If this happens, I expect he'll be sent down again immediately. . . . . . . . One hit gets him up to .204. A 1-1, 1-2, or 1-3 liberates him, as does any number of two-hit games. A 1-4 keeps him dreaming, however. . . . . . Welcome, son, to the club you didn't want to join. There's no rule that says shortstops can't hit, Wilmer. A 1-1, a 1-2, a 1-3 or a two- hit game, and you and I are best buds. Needs a promotion and a 4-4. IT COULD HAPPEN! . . . . . . . . . . . . I can say no more.

Chad Ochoseis May 14 2014 05:31 PM Re: Time to Get off the Interstate

Tonight's starting lineup exited the interstate somewhere between the Bronx and Flushing. Low man is Tejada at .200. I think this is a first for 2014.